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Adopted by the Hemisphere Conference on Free Speech Mexico City March 11,
1994

Preamble

On the threshold of a new millennium, the Americas envision a future rooted
in democracy. A political opening has taken hold. Citizens have a heightened
awareness of their rights. More than at any time in our history regular
elections, governments, parliaments, political parties, labor unions,
associations and social groups of every kind reflect the hopes of our people.

In this environment of democratization, several developments engender
optimism but also suggest prudence. Institutional crises, inequalities,
backwardness, unresolvable frustrations, the search for easy solutions,
failure to grasp the nature of democracy and special interest groups
constantly threaten the advancements made. They also represent potential
hurdles to further progress.

That is why we who share this hemisphere, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego,
must consolidate the prevailing public freedoms and human rights.

Democratic rule must be embodied in modern institutions that represent and
respect the citizenry; it must also guide daily life. Democracy and freedom,
inseparably paired, will flourish with strength and stability only if they
take root in the men and women of our continent.

Without democracy and freedom, the results are predictable: Individual and
social life is stunted, group interaction is curtailed, material progress is
distorted, the possibility of change is halted, justice is demeaned and
human advancement becomes mere fiction.

Freedom must not be restricted in the quest for any other goal. It stands
alone, yet has multiple expressions; it belongs to citizens, not to
government.

Because we share this conviction, because we have faith in the creative
force of our people and because we are convinced that our principles and
goals must be freedom and democracy, we openly support their most forthright
and robust manifestation: Freedom of expression and of the press, whatever
the medium of communication. The exercise of democracy can neither exist nor
be reproduced without these.

We, the signatories of this declaration, represent different backgrounds and
dreams. We take pride in the plurality and diversity of our cultures,
considering ourselves fortunate that they merge into the one element that
nurtures their growth and creativity: Freedom of expression, the driving
force and basis of mankind’s fundamental rights.

A free society can thrive only through free expression and the exchange of
ideas, the search for and the dissemination of information, the ability to
investigate and question, to propound and react, to agree and disagree, to
converse and confront, to publish and broadcast. Only by exercising these
principles will it be possible to guarantee individuals and groups their
right to receive impartial and timely information. Only through open
discussion and unfettered information will it be possible to find answers to
the great collective problems, to reach consensus, to have development
benefit all sectors, to practice social justice and to advance the quest for
equality. We therefore vehemently reject assertions which would define
freedom and progress, freedom and order, freedom and stability, freedom and
justice, freedom and the ability to govern as mutually exclusive values.

Without freedom there can be no true order, stability and justice. And
without freedom of expression there can be no freedom. Freedom of expression
and the seeking, dissemination and collection of information can be
exercised only if freedom of the press exists.

We know that not every statement and item of information can find its way
into the media. We know that the existence of press freedom does not
automatically guarantee unrestricted freedom of expression. But we also know
that a free press favors an environment that nurtures freedom of expression
and thereby benefits all other public freedoms.

Without an independent media, assured of the guarantees to operate freely,
to make decisions and to act on them fully, freedom of expression cannot be
exercised. A free press is synonymous with free expression.

Wherever the media can function unhindered and determine their own direction
and manner of serving the public, there is a blossoming of the ability to
seek information, to disseminate it without restraints, to question it
without fear and to promote the free exchange of ideas and opinions. But
wherever freedom of the press is curtailed, for whatever reasons, the other
freedoms vanish.

After a period when attempts were made to legitimize government control over
news outlets, it is gratifying to be able to work together to defend
freedom. Many men and women worldwide join us in this task. But opposition
remains widespread. Our continents are no exception. There are still
counties whose despotic governments abjure every freedom, particularly those
freedoms related to expression. Criminals, terrorists and drug traffickers
still threaten, attack and murder journalists.

But that is not the only way to harm a free press and free expression. The
temptation to control and regulate has led to decisions that limit the
independent action of the media, of journalists and of citizens who wish to
seek and disseminate information and opinions.

Politicians who avow their faith in democracy are often intolerant of public
criticism. Various social sectors assign to the press nonexistent flaws.
Judges with limited vision order journalists to reveal sources that should
remain in confidence. Overzealous officials deny citizens access to public
information. Even the constitutions of some democratic countries contain
elements of press restriction.

While defending a free press and rejecting outside interference, we also
champion a press that is responsible and involved, a press aware of the
obligations that the practice of freedom entails.

Principles

A free press enables societies to resolve their conflicts, promote their
well-being and protect their liberty. No law or act of government may limit
freedom of expression or of the press, whatever the medium.

Because we are fully conscious of this reality and accept it with the
deepest conviction, and because of our firm commitment to freedom, we sign
this declaration, whose principles follow.

1. No people or society can be free without freedom of expression and of the
press. The exercise of this freedom is not something authorities grant, it
is an inalienable right of the people.

2. Every person has the right to seek and receive information, express
opinions and disseminate them freely. No one may restrict or deny these
rights.

3. The authorities must be compelled by law to make available in a timely
and reasonable manner the information generated by the public sector. No
journalist may be forced to reveal his or her sources of information.

4. Freedom of expression and of the press are severely limited by murder,
terrorism, kidnapping, intimidation, the unjust imprisonment of journalists,
the destruction of facilities, violence of any kind and impunity for
perpetrators. Such acts must be investigated promptly and punished harshly.

5. Prior censorship, restrictions on the circulation of the media or
dissemination of their reports, forced publication of information, the
imposition of obstacles to the free flow of news, and restrictions on the
activities and movements of journalists directly contradict freedom of the
press.

6. The media and journalists should neither be discriminated against nor
favored because of what they write or say.

7. Tariff and exchange policies, licenses for the importation of paper or
news-gathering equipment, the assigning of radio and television frequencies
and the granting or withdrawal of government advertising may not be used to
reward or punish the media or individual journalists.

8. The membership of journalists in guilds, their affiliation to
professional and trade associations and the affiliation of the media with
business groups must be strictly voluntary.

9. The credibility of the press is linked to its commitment to truth, to the
pursuit of accuracy, fairness and objectivity and to the clear distinction
between news and advertising. The attainment of these goals and the respect
for ethical and professional values may not be imposed. These are the
exclusive responsibility of journalists and the media. In a free society, it
is public opinion that rewards or punishes.

10. No news medium nor journalist may be punished for publishing the truth
or criticizing or denouncing the government.

The struggle for freedom of expression and of the press is not a one-day
task; it is an ongoing commitment. It is fundamental to the survival of
democracy and civilization in our hemisphere. Not only is this freedom a
bulwark and an antidote against every abuse of authority, it is society's
lifeblood. Defending it day upon day is honoring our history and controlling
our destiny. To these principles we are committed.